By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

MIAMI GARDENS - Augustinian Father John J. "Figgy" Farrell, who served as former president of Biscayne College/St. Thomas University from 1975-1980, died Oct. 5. A memorial Mass will be held in his honor at St. Thomas' Chapel of St. Anthony at 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 18.

Father Farrell, son of John and Mildred (Dwyer) Farrell, was born on Nov. 5, 1932 at Staten Island, NY. He was received into the Augustinian order as a novice on Sept. 9, 1950 and professed his first vows on Oct. 1, 1951. He was ordained to the priesthood June 6, 1959 at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

After a number of academic posts, he was assigned to Biscayne College in Miami from 1967 to 1980, where he taught economics and was director of job placement and academic advisement. He also completed a PhD in economics in 1972.

From 1975 to 1980, he was president of Biscayne College until he was assigned to Villanova University and later, to St. Thomas Monastery. St. Thomas University owes much of the success of its formational years to Father Farrell.

Father Farrell experienced poor health in recent years and died Oct. 5 at the Arista Care Center in Plymouth Meeting, PA.